Walking Mall Kiosk Removed - A Good Start

Although the controversial Walking Mall still blocks Last Chance Gulch, two physical obstacles have recently been removed from the course of the historic thoroughfare. As reported in the Independent Record on August 7 2007, workers with Tabbert Construction, Inc. cut apart and hauled away the kiosk which sat at the north end of the Walking Mall, at the intersection of Sixth and Last Chance Gulch. Also, a nearby concrete stage was jackhammered to rubble and hauled away. The cupola from the 1888 Novelty Block, which topped the kiosk, was placed in storage; there are plans to reuse it in Sixth Ward Park.

(The Independent Record story may be read here. For some reason, the story does NOT appear in the IR archives search)

When I first read the story, I was discouraged to learn that the Novelty Block cupola would be removed from public view -- another piece of Helena's history shunted away, perhaps never to be seen again. Then I started thinking: What if people saw the kiosk and stage removal as a small step toward someday reopening Last Chance Gulch to automobile traffic? What if that wide and handsome street looked better, more open and inviting, without those impediments? Maybe this could be the start of something good!

I recently visited the old downtown area of Livermore, California, and what I saw immediately brought to mind my beloved home town of Helena. What they've done in Livermore is allowed two lanes of traffic down the center of the wide main street, and have made diagonal parking slots on both sides. The street has some nice landscaping as well. Businesses were open, people were out walking and shopping, and it was convenient to get to and to park. Here's the best of both worlds, I thought. I also thought how much more lovely than the Livermore street Last Chance Gulch would look, if given a similar treatment.